The 48 Laws of Power
by: Robert Greene
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Product Description:
Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills three thousand years of the history of power in to forty-eight well explicated laws. As attention--grabbing in its design as it is in its content, this bold volume outlines the laws of power in their unvarnished essence, synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun-tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other great thinkers. Some laws teach the need for prudence ("Law 1: Never Outshine the Master"), the virtue of stealth ("Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions"), and many demand the total absence of mercy ("Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally"), but like it or not, all have applications in real life. Illustrated through the tactics of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, P. T. Barnum, and other famous figures who have wielded--or been victimized by--power, these laws will fascinate any reader interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.
Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills three thousand years of the history of power in to forty-eight well explicated laws. As attention--grabbing in its design as it is in its content, this bold volume outlines the laws of power in their unvarnished essence, synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun-tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other great thinkers. Some laws teach the need for prudence ("Law 1: Never Outshine the Master"), the virtue of stealth ("Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions"), and many demand the total absence of mercy ("Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally"), but like it or not, all have applications in real life. Illustrated through the tactics of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, P. T. Barnum, and other famous figures who have wielded--or been victimized by--power, these laws will fascinate any reader interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Great Read, Interesting Lessons
To base one's life on a book such as this requires a degree of quixotic sensibility that I do not have.However, taken as an entertaining book filled with much worldly wisdom, Robert Greene's book really works.
The text flows quite naturally, even elegantly; and the myriad historical anecdotes are jewels both as reading material and future conversation pieces.As a result, it can be both lightly and seriously read again and again.
Great content and great format.
... Read More
Rating: 
- 48 Ways to Never Achieve True Power...
Glad I borrowed this from the library and didn't waste the money myself...
This book takes a Machiavellian approach to life, but does so in a long and extremely drawn out manner.While the book does provide for some good ideas, most of the book entails how to be devious and manipulative.The author even manages to take what good advice he does offer and pervert it into a seemingly sinister plot to take over the world, as if the author enjoys being the bad guy.
This book may ... Read More
Rating: - Not to be treated like a manual
Are there really 48 established laws of power? That depends on which of the book's many tyrants or swindlers you ask. The qualities and traits of an out-maneuvering courtier can't be acquired as a recipe. You either have it or you don't.
Each chapter is systematically laid out like a pavillion with annecdotes lining the side of the main copy. You begin with a brief description of the 'Law'. Followed by 'Observances of the Law' in which the historical annecdote is presented. Then a converse ... Read More
Rating: - Wonderful
A very special book... that should not be available for everyone. It's very dangerous in the right hands.
Rating: 
- This Guy is a Blow Hard
I gave this book a two star because it has some words of wisdom, but you have to wade through a lot of bad information. Reading through the table of contents, you'll see that quite a few of the "laws" boil down to "be a back stabbing sleaze bag". On the other hand, there are a number of the laws that are worth following. I leave determining which is which as an exercise for the reader. The anecdotes do not back up the laws that he is demonstrating.
- Great Read, Interesting LessonsTo base one's life on a book such as this requires a degree of quixotic sensibility that I do not have.However, taken as an entertaining book filled with much worldly wisdom, Robert Greene's book really works.
The text flows quite naturally, even elegantly; and the myriad historical anecdotes are jewels both as reading material and future conversation pieces.As a result, it can be both lightly and seriously read again and again.
Great content and great format.
... Read More
- 48 Ways to Never Achieve True Power...Glad I borrowed this from the library and didn't waste the money myself...
This book takes a Machiavellian approach to life, but does so in a long and extremely drawn out manner.While the book does provide for some good ideas, most of the book entails how to be devious and manipulative.The author even manages to take what good advice he does offer and pervert it into a seemingly sinister plot to take over the world, as if the author enjoys being the bad guy.
This book may ... Read More
- Not to be treated like a manualAre there really 48 established laws of power? That depends on which of the book's many tyrants or swindlers you ask. The qualities and traits of an out-maneuvering courtier can't be acquired as a recipe. You either have it or you don't.
Each chapter is systematically laid out like a pavillion with annecdotes lining the side of the main copy. You begin with a brief description of the 'Law'. Followed by 'Observances of the Law' in which the historical annecdote is presented. Then a converse ... Read More
- WonderfulA very special book... that should not be available for everyone. It's very dangerous in the right hands.
- This Guy is a Blow HardI gave this book a two star because it has some words of wisdom, but you have to wade through a lot of bad information. Reading through the table of contents, you'll see that quite a few of the "laws" boil down to "be a back stabbing sleaze bag". On the other hand, there are a number of the laws that are worth following. I leave determining which is which as an exercise for the reader. The anecdotes do not back up the laws that he is demonstrating.
